Dana Sitar's Blog, page 7

A New Place to Connect with Other Writers

The core motivation behind DIY Writing has always been community. Since I accidentally launched a popular Facebook group for writers because of my own selfish need for a deeper connection with you people, this community has flourished in an incredible way.

It’s almost surprising how eager writers are to connect with each other, given that we can be such a sheltered, introverted lot! But the truth is, we spend a lot of time working in isolation at home or even in an office, and we need a...

Nurture Relationships for the Best Client Referrals

by Lauren Tharp

Client/freelancer relationships, like most relationships, are complicated. They’re never as cut-and-dry as our contracts make them out to be, because they’re more than just a signed piece of paper. They’re organic, and they change constantly.

The bad relationships are always the ones that stand out, but you’ve probably had several client/freelancer relationships that went quite well! They treated you with respect, they paid you on time, and you didn’t hate working for them...

Strategic Vulnerability

by Diane Pauley

Strategic vulnerability.

What does that even mean today?

Perhaps it has to do with the fact that we live in a society where thoughts run rampant and we feel the need to constantly over-share what’s on our mind.

I’m not talking about the superficial thoughts that can run around in your headspace; I’m referring to those deep thoughts that infiltrate the crevices of your soul.

The loss of a parent, a heartbreak, a career move, a new love interest.

Those tender thoughts that are so vuln...

Launch Differently and Learn (My Experiment with Crowdfunding)

Launch Yourself Podcast in iTunes | Stitcher

It’s been over three months since I launched my first (and, at least for a while, last) crowdfunding campaign. In November 2013, I launched this Indiegogo campaign to raise money for the forthcoming DIY Writing Co-op team publishing program, offering pre-registration to our E-Pub courses as perks.

The campaign was an exciting, stressful, and – above all – educational experience.

Since closing the campaign December 31st, I haven’t spent a lot of time r...

How to Talk to An Artist

I published this post at Medium.com today. If you haven’t checked out the platform, it’s a fantastic social/blogging platform for discovering other writers/thinkers/creators, and for getting your work in front of new faces.

I’m experimenting with sharing some posts there to see if there’s an audience for this stuff :) I’d love for you to check out this post, add your comments (their commenting system is unique and cool!), and pass it onto your friends, if you like it – thanks!

How to Talk to An...

How to Beat the Biggest Block to Your Writing Success (No, It’s Not Rejection!)

This is a guest post by Carol Tice–Carol writes the Make a Living Writing blog. Her new class with The Renegade Writer’s Linda Formichelli starts April 1. Check it out here: Article Writing Masterclass.

When you’re trying to write, it’s easy to find excuses for why your career isn’t progressing.

Maybe you blame the (supposed) collapse of print magazines. Or that editors just don’t seem to be receptive to your awesome ideas.

Or it’s all the fault of the terrible economy (which in fact offic...

4 Unrealistic Expectations You May Have About Being a Freelance Writer

Have you been dreaming of being a freelance writer so you can escape the office, be your own boss, and just write whenever and wherever you want? (Insert picture of you sitting on the beach typing away on your laptop.)

That’s nice.

But it’s also unrealistic.

The fact is, freelancing perks like “being your own boss” or “working from anywhere” aren’t as fun as they sound — they come with a lot of pressures and responsibilities.

I’m not here to burst your bubble. I’m here to help you and make...

Leverage Your Blog and Online Community to Grow Your Freelance Business

I’m pretty excited to announce that I’ve been invited, along with some of my favorite writers, to present for Quistic’s newest course, Launch a Freelance Writing Career!

Quistic? As in Penelope Trunk’s latest company? Yes, the very same. #humblebrag

Quistic co-founder Cassie Boornis hosting this course for freelance writers and reached out (coincidentally) to fellow WBL contributors Jessica Lawlor, Kelly Gurnett, and Lauren Tharp, as well as freelancer Steph Auteri, and me to lead session...

How to Set Professional Boundaries with Freelance Clients

If you’re looking to make a living as a writer, don’t miss this AMAZING offer from The Write Life: The Writer’s Bundle. It includes 9 valuable ebooks and courses by creators like Chris Guillebeau, Jeff Goins and Jenny Blake — for just $79. The catch? It’s only available until Wednesday. Click here for more details.

Illustration by Ramiro Roman, Jr.

Most of us know the importance and inherent value of personal boundaries. We know that it’s “weird” to lean in too closely orsay inappropriate comme...

5 Ways to Build Your Online Platform with Less Than Five Minutes

There’s no dancing around the topic: Whether you’re starting from scratch or are well on your way to success, building your online platform is daunting.Pitching your work to bloggers and media can be scary. Collecting emails and starting an e-newsletter initiative might feel overwhelming.

So let’s take a step back.

These larger strategies to develop your online presence can be broken down into smaller, more manageable steps. Who doesn’t like a quick win?

Here are 5 quick things busy writer...